About Emma

Elected to Parliament in a by-election on May 2nd 2013, Emma is your Member of Parliament for South Shields and a proud North Easterner.

Emma is the first woman ever to represent South Shields in Parliament, and the first MP to have been born in the constituency and raised in the area. She has lived in the area all her life, and prior to her election served for nine years on South Tyneside Council.

Emma studied politics and media studies at Northumbria University, and went on to gain a Masters degree in social work from Durham University. In 2007, she began her role in child protection social work in Sunderland and then Newcastle – a position which taught her the harsh realities of frontline social work. Now, as an MP, she continues to call for reform of child protection and works tirelessly to improve the social care provision for both children and adults in her constituency.

Emma has a long-standing commitment to South Shields. Her family also have deep roots in the area, and she is a direct descendant of local hero William Wouldhave, the inventor of the lifeboat. She lives in the town with her husband Simon.

Emma’s love for South Shields inspires her daily work in the constituency and reinforces the commitment she has to local residents.

Emma is a passionate advocate for South Shields, and proudly represents the issues that matter most to constituents. Backed by a committed team, Emma is driving positive change in South Shields, and is determined to ensure that residents in the area, and those hardest hit by the Conservative Government, have their voice heard.